Sheet feeding mechanism



March 26, 1946. H gssLER 2,397,258

SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM Original Filed March 12, v 1942 Sheets-Sheet l Haes sr March 26, 1946. w. J. H-AESSLER 2,397,253

SHEE E l FEEDING MECHANISM I Original Fil-ed March 12, 1942 '9 Sheets-Sheet 2 .1: I I1]. I: H

March 26, 1946.

I w. J. HAESSLER SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM Original Filed March 12, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 MJL-mn JHaQSS ZPI' March 26, 1946.- J. HAESSLER 58 SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM Original Filgd March 12, 1942 e Sheets-Sheet 4 March 26, 1946.. w. J. HAESSLER SHEET FEEDING MECHANI M ori nal Filed March 12, .1942 9 sheets-sheets.

Marh 26,1946. HAESSLER, 2,397,258,

SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM Original Filed March 12, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 w. J. HAESSLER 2,397,258 SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM I March 26, 1946.

9 Sheets-Sheet 8 March 26,1946. ;HAE'SSLER v 2,397,258

SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM" Patented Mar. 26, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM William 1. Haessler, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to High Production Machine Co., Inc., Philadelphia, ra, corporation of Pennsylvania -riginal application March 12, 1942, .Serial No.

434,431. Divided and this application December 23, 1944, Serial No. 569,555

clams; (01. 271-21) This invention relates to sheet feeding mechanisms and more particularly to asheet'feeding mechanism for supplying sheets .to gluing machines of the type shown in my copending application, Serial No. 434,431, filed March '12, 1942, for Automatic glue applying machines, allowed July 19, 1944, of which this application is a division, said copending application having matured into Patent No. 2,368,759 on February 6, v

In machines of this character, it is required that the sheets be very accurately and positively fed, and an important object of the present invention is the provision of a feeding mechanism meeting these requirements and which, at the same time, may be relatively cheaply manufactured and will be durable and efllcient in service.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel and improved means for supplying the blanks to be glued to the gluing roll, including a vacuum pick-up having associated therewith means whereby the extent through which vacuum is applied to the wrappers or the like mayfbe regulated and distributed across the width of the same. i 1

A still further object ofthe invention is the provision of means whereby the vacuumpick-up may be regulated as to the point of application of vacuum thereto so thatthe time of pick-up and release of the sheet may be closely regulated.

A still further object is the provision of means whereby the idler feedroll withassociated feed plate-can be adjusted so that the idler feed roll will come into blank clamping engagement with the main feed roller without changing thjpo wherein, for the purpose of illustration, I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein:. f f

Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of a gluing machine embodying a sheet feeding mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention;

objects I attain by we the cox 1 struction shown in the accompanying drawings- Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, portions of the casing being removed or broken away;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section on line 3-3 of Fig.

Fig. 4 is a section on line L-l of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5--5 of Fig.1;

Fig, 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 7 and 8 are sections similar to that of Fig. 6 but showing additional positions of the mechanism; v

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary planned view of blan feeding mechanism;

Fi 10 is a section on line Ill-40 of Fig. 9; Figs. 11, 12, 13 and 14 are sections on lines ll--ll, lZ-I2, 13-43 and l4l4, respectively, of Fig. 10;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the construction of the paper feeler;

Fig. 16 is a section online l6-I6 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 17 is an elevational view of the pneumatic feed roller adjustment; and

Fig. 18 i a section on line l8-l8 of Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged elevation partially in section of the'valve control mechanism and its associated parts.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the machine illustrated operates as a feeder of glued blanks to a wrapping machine (not herein shown) supplying glued blanks to the wrapping machine by a conveyer belt 10. The machine comprises a base l5 mounting a suitable drive motor ll from which base arise frame elements l2 and. I3 in'which are mounted for rotation a main'drive shaft l4, a'blank feeding roll 68,'and conveyer driving rollsllli and I! for conveyer l0. At the rear or discharge end of the machine the frames support a vertically movable blank support I8, vertical movement of which is provided through'racks [9, control of which is through mechanism hereinafter fully described. The actual feeding of the blank is controlled by an oscillatory shaft 20 mounted in frame elements l2 and I3, an actuating cam 2| and associated mechanisms hereinafter described.

-Operation of 'the blank feeding mechanism. with the exception of main feeding roll 68 which is driven from gear 88 through idler 69, is controlled by cam 2| actuating rock shaft 20. Rock shaft 20 has secured thereto a pair of arms I0, the upper ends of which rotatably support a vacuum pick-up tube 1 I, an end of which projects through a 510:1: in the frame member l3 and is flexibly connected, as at I3, with asource of suc- I 'tion: Cam 2| is connected on demand to gear through a single revolution clutch mechanism upon completion of each revolution of clutch I I,

the corresponding position of the associated mechanism being shown in Figs. 4 and 6.- In this position of the mechanism the suction'noz'zles of vacuum tube II are arranged above and di rected downwardly toward the stack of blanks B from which individual blanks are to be fed to the glue-applying mechanism, being held in this position by engagement of a pinion TI on tube:

II with a rack I8 secured to the' frame mem--v ber I2.

Initial movement of the shifts theatube I 'II in the direction of the arrow marked Af- Fig. 6. This movement brings the mechanism to the position shown in Fig. 6, and bring'sone arm 2,897,258 I v I dial 89 serving as an indication as to which of I the nozzles is, eflective.

Pivotally supported upon arms 10 is a pair of brackets 90 adjustment of these brackets about the pivots thereof being effected as by means of control rods 9I. Rotatably mounted in the upper ends of brackets 90 is. anidler feeding roll 92 and pivotally supported from the shaft of this roll is a feed plate 93. In order that the forward edge of the feed plate upon which a feed blank initially engages may be maintained at a com- :m'on horizontal level despite the arcuate move-,

I ment imparted to the feed roll, cams 94 are se- 19 of toggle mechanism, generally designated at 80, into engagement. with the cam 8|, trips the toggle mechanism causing closure offla valve 82 normally open to the atmosphere thereby instituting suction in the vacuum tube 'II- causing same to pick up the top blank of the pile and elevate. the forward edge thereof.- The succeeding movement'of the camreverses the direction of operation rotating the tube .to cause the same to elevate, through nozzles 16, the top blank of the pile. When themechanism arrives in the position as shown in Fig. 7, the, second cam 84 trips the toggle and opens ,valve 82 breaking'the vacuum to release theblanlgiandallowsthe leadingedge of the blank to fall upon the plate 93. The continued reverse movement of the :mecha-. nism causes the .plate. 93 to enter the; leading edge of the blank between the feedrollers completing thefeeding ofthe blank. I The final m0vement'of the cam restoresthe tube II to the rest position illustrated in FigJl. V g

The toggle mechanism 80 comprises an inverted T shaped lever pivoted at 80A to the casing of valve 82.- I The vertical stem of this levermounts a, pivot 80B through which is slidably directed a pivoted rod 80Clikewise pivoted to thevalve' cas-. ing as at 8013. Aspring 80E surrounds rod 800 andhas bearing-at its ends against the pivots.

BUB-and 80D. Theends'of the horizontal arms of this lever rnount rollers- 80F and 80G-for'co-x action respectively with cams 81 and'IIIIi'.

The toggle mechanism perse comprises the vertical arm ofthe inverted T'shaped lever, the rod 800 and spring 80E. It will be obvious that this springwill -be p1aced under increased stress when. the T shaped-lever rocks, as the pivots 89A, 80B and80D approach alignment-and-after the movement of the lever causes the pivot 803 to l pass beyondv the alignment. point. this spring-will cause the valve to .sna rapidlyto .itsoPen or closed position. 1 v

The tube II includes a constantly open central. nozzle, and a plurality of nozzles arranged ateither side thereof whicharecontrolled bya valve mechanism-comprising a small rod 85- extending longitudinally of the bore. of tube I liandequipped with sesmentalvalve elements- 88 for controlling As more clearly'seen from a comthe nozzles. parison .ofFigss. 12; i3 and 14;.these valve elements are so constructed. thatone, two. or three of the side. nozzles ofethe tube may be opened as desired. The BI'ld'Of the rod isiir'olected through one end oftube 1| and equipped with an operating knob 81. havingra pointer 88 coasting with a curedlto the standards I2 and I3 and the feed plate is-equipped with arms having rollers'engaged in grooves in these cams.

7 In order that the upper surface of the pile of f blanks B maybe maintained at the proper level the shaft is an arm. I04 bearing a trip I05 an having its terminal adapted for coaction with an inclined cam I 06 which, after a predetermined rearward movement of the paperfeedingmechanism, causes the arm I 04 to depress and thus elevate the feeler from the stack: This same depression releases the trip I05 from engagement with a pawl -I0I- which-controls the feed of the blanks upwardly provided the same shall have been engaged bythe trip. If the level of the blank. stack is sufficientlylow, spring :I02 will cause an elevation of the trip to a point such that it will engagethe lower end of the pawLthereby releasing the same from its engagement with one end. of a lever I08. Theopposite end of lever" I08 is pivotallyconnected to a depending rod. I09. the lower end of which is connected to an 05011? latory pawl carrier 0 pivoted about. shaft III and, bearing a pawl IIZ. coacting with a ratchet wheel llasecured to shaft III. @T is rat et wheel hasv likewise associated therewith aholding pawl H4. The tall. I I5 of theratchet carrier II 0 extends toward rock shaft 20 and into the path of movement of a tappet arm H6 secured thereto. When lever I08 is released by pawl. I01, theratchet carrier drops until its movement is checked, through an adjustable stop .I'II. Upon the next rearward movement of arms I0, th etappet. I I 0 will engage with the tail of the lever advancing the shaft III through one rotativ estepi and, accordingly, elevating racks I 9 which-are en:

gaged by pinions I I8 on shaft' II I;

The pawl Divoted' at IOI2ito fthe frame of the machine. It is normally maintained in an' engagement with the end of lever I 08.

through a'spring I013 connected between the v pivot I08A" of lever I08 and a stud I010 on pawj.

I 01'. "Pivoted to the pawl I 01 as'at I0'1D is a control block I0IE normally maintainingthe ;po-'

siti'on shown in'Fig. 5'by a spring IMF. This control block is engaged by trip .ltiand 'if the stack is suflicientl'y elevated, will oscillate about the pivot I0 'ID without relez'rsin'g pawl I0I from lever I08. If, however, the stack is 'sufliciently depressed and trip I05 correspondingly elevated. the engagement between this trip and control block 101E will effect disengagement of the pawl. 1,Attentio n. is, directed to the fact that contact of the feeler finger with the stack occurs at the moment of alignmentof the vacuum mechanism therewith, thus insuring an accurate determine..- ,tionof the stack level at the time when-determination'of this, level is most essential. It'will be noted that' by use of a mechanism ofthe character Just described, it. is not necessary that any real pressure beapplied to the stack, the actual pressure exerted on'the stack by the feeler fingerbelng of an order'of afew ounces.

Assuming that the. parts'are in the position illustrated in Figs. 2, 4, and 6 and that the single revolution clutch 'Ifi'is tripped, the blank-feeding mechanism first moves forwardly toward the gluing mechanism thus engaging arm 19. of the vacuum control mechanism with cam 8| (Fig. and bringing the vacuum pick-up tube into operation, the nozzles 01 this tube at this time being substantially vertically directed and extending downwardly to theupper surface of the blank stack; Continued operation of the cam 2| causes a rearward movement of the blank feeding mechanism accompanied by a rotation of the tube II inthe direction of the arrows of Figs. 7 and 8. This motion results inthe blank being picked up and elevated into engagement with the main feeding roller 68, following which the idler feed roller 92 clamps the blank to the main feeding roller and causes it'to be fed between gluing roll 26 and guide roll 49. The paper feeding mechanism 'then-returns to its normal position illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4. The gluedblank is doctored from the gluing roll by blades 50 and is removed'by conveyer III; V

In some cases it may become desirable to regulate the angle at which the suction nozzles come into efiective'engagement with the blank. This may be accomplished by makingrack 18 adjustable upon a curved track H9. Longitudinal adjustment is attained through'screw I20, and adjustment retained through a wedging screw 12!, Since the structure illustrated is, obviously. capable of considerable modification without departing from the spirit of the invention, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the type described, means to feed blanks comprising a blank support having means to maintain the uppermost blank of a blank stack thereon at a substantially constant level, a driven blank feeding roll, an idler blank feeding roll adapted to come into blank clamping engagement with said driven roll, an oscillatory support for the idler feed roll, a rotatable vacuum pick-up device moving with said idler feed roll and oscillatable about its axis to elevate the entering edge of a blank for engagement between said driven and idler feed rolls, means to oscillate said support, and means operative through oscillation of the support including a valve carried by the support for controlling the vacuum in the vacuum pick-up device.

2. In apparatus of the type described, means to feed blanks comprising a blank support having means to maintain the uppermost blank of a blank stack thereon at a substantially constant level, a. driven blank feeding roll, an idler blank feeding roll adapted to come into blank clamping engagement with said driven roll, an oscillatory support for the idler feed roll, a rotatable vacuum pick-up device moving with said idler feed roll and oscillatable about its axis to elevate t ejente ins; ed e or ablankror engagement between said driven-and. idler iced rolls, means to oscillate said support, means operative through oscillation of the support for controlling the vac uum in the vacuum pick-up device comprising a valve carried by the support, a snap action toggle mechanism controlling opening and closing of the valve, and cam means en aged with the toggle mechanism by oscillation of the support to thereby operate said valve.

3. In apparatus of the type described, means to feed blanks comprising a blank support, a driven blank feeding roll, an idler blank feeding roll adapted :to come into blank clamping engagement with said driven roll, an oscillatory support for the idler feed roll, a vacuum pick-up device moving with said idler feed roll and oscillatable about its axis-to elevate the entering edge of a blank for engagement between said driven andidler feed rolls, means to oscillate said idler feed'roll and vacuum pick-up device, means. operative through oscillation of the vacuum pickup device forcontrolling the vacuum therein, a bar supported for oscillation upon said oscillatory support, a fingeradjustably fixed on said bar and engaging the uppermost blank of a stack on said blank support, means to yieldably oscillate said bar to bring said finger in engagement with saidstack at the time vacuum is formed in said pickup device, and means controlled bythe angular position of the bar aboutits axis controlling the vertical position oithe blank support.

4. In apparatus of the type described, means to feed blanks comprisinga blank support, having means to maintain the uppermost blank of a blank stack thereon at a substantially constant level, a driven'blank feeding roll, anv idler blank feeding. roll adapted to come into blank clamping engagement with said driven roll, an oscillatory support for the idler feed roll, a rotatable vacuum pick-up device. moving with said idler feed roll and oscillatable about its axis to elevate the entering edge of a blank for engagement between said driven and idler feed rolls, means to oscillate said support, and means including a valve carried by and operativethrough oscillation of the support for controlling oscillation of the pickup device on said support and the vacuum in the vacuum pick-up device.

5. In apparatus of the type described, means to feed blanks comprising a blank support having means to maintain the uppermost blank of a blank stack thereon at a substantially constant level, a driven blank feeding roll, an idler blank feeding r011 adapted to come into blank clamping engagement with said driven roll, an oscillatory support for the idler feed roll, a sheet guide pivoted on said oscillatory support and associated with idler roll, means to maintain the edge of the guide at a fixed level during oscillation of the support and a rotatable vacuum pickup device moving with said idler teed roll and oscillatable about its axis to elevate the entering edge of a blank for engagement between said driven roll and sheet guide.

6. In apparatus of the type described, means to feed blanks comprising a blank support having means to maintain the uppermost blank of a blank stack thereon at a substantially constant level, a driven blank feeding roll, anidler blank feeding roll adapted to come into blank clamping engagement with said driven roll, an 'oscillatory support for the idler feed roll, a rotatable vacuum pick-up device rotatable about an axis fixed with relation to the idler to elevate the entering edge of awblal ik for exigegeme'nt hetweenb tmeriveh and idler feed r6118; means t'e beelil-i eseillate-s'aid 7 support, means to oscillate the vacuum hick 1115 device about ewhax iseemerlslhg '9. heir relattively' stationary as'reg a-rd tfi"i'r 6i1ilfii tit-ch ep dewtee 'a' I'Jll'lidti on the veeeum hick-hp device engaging said rack,- and-means 'ohertttive 'threugh os'eillat ioh of the suppert fer eontrollihg the vaclfum ih'the vhc'uum-filch-up device ihclticling a valve carried by the-Support.

7. In apparatus 61" thetyhe' described, means to feed blanks comprising a; blank 'suppert having means to r'naihtaintheuppermostlilenk of e bI-ank etaek thereon at a substantially constant Ieve1',e driven blenk feedmg' ran, an idler lank feedihg ro'll itdepted t6 came into blank clamping exigagement with said drlv'h roll, arr osci1l'atory support-for the idlerfeed r'dll, a rtafiable vacuum pick-11p devieemounted upon a fixed axis en Said su port and os'enleteble about its axis to" elevate the entering edge (if at blank'fer engagement be tween saZ-icl driven and idler: feed reflemeens to bodily oscillate said idler feed roll and veteuum plek hp c'levic'e, means to oscillate the vacuum pick-hp device about its own axis comprising a rack relatively stationary as regards the vaeuum pick-up device, at pini'en en the vacuum piek hp device engaging seid' rack, means to lo'hg'itudfi many edjhsteajd rack, and a; valve bodily eschletin wit the vacuum pick-up devicefer controlling the; vacuum in" the vacuum pick-tip device.

8. In apparath's'of the type 'clscfibefd, meafis' toi feed blanks comprising a; blank support, t driven blank feeding ran, an idler Blank. feeding roll adapted to eeme intd blank" clamping ehg'ag'ejme tiwith said driven r011, aii oscillaterysum'aert for th idler feed fell, a vacuum, pick-up device moving with said idler teed roll and oeeilletethle QUOH t i-QS axis to elevate the entering edge (if a blankior' eng gement betwe n said' dr'iveh and idler reed-rolls, means toescillate'said idler feed rc'ill' and vacuum pick-up device, iil'afi s'i operative,

through o s ci ilatidl'ia: the'vadtmmpick-up device for .cont'rqll ingthe vacuum therein, a bat sup:- ported for voscillation upon "saidoscillatory slippert, a; ,fihger eclj ustably fixed on said loaf and engaging the et h hriest- Eighth at 4 steel: oh we thank suiflhert; means to yleldttbly esel-llate said meahs to maintain the upherhiest blefiltdfje blank steel: thefhn at e suhstahtieflfieohetaht level a driven blank 'fe'difig JOIL aIi idle? blank feeding roll edapteato come irate blank cflttjfifiifig engagement with saiddriven rail, esemetery 7 su ort for the i dlef feed roll, a fetatehle teeii'iifiz pick-up qevlee movtfig with Saididl'et feed-fell and oscilletehle aboutits axis" to elevate the entering edge of a Blank for" iig eg'emeht-btwen said driven and idle? feed r0115, means to 'Os'ctllate said suppeft, means o efativ'e through osctllatiori of the suphort fti'r' eontrdmhe' the vacuum In the vacuum fiick -up device, and means to telatively adjust the driven and idler feed rells without disturbing the position of the Vacuum pick-up device.

10. In apparatus of the type described; means to feed blanks comprising a. blaihk support having ffieafis to maintain the uppermost plank of a man-1i stack thereon at a substantially onstarz-xt l vel, a driven blank feeding roll; he idler blank feeding roll adapted t come intq blank clqmplng engagement with said driven tell; an oscillatqry support,- an adjustable mounting fer the idler feed roll on said support,. a retatahle vacuum v pick-up devicejmountedin fixed bearings 01; sam

support and oscillatahle alpoutlts axis to elevate the entering edge of ab1enk 61 engagement betwee said driven and idler feed rollsmeans to oscillate said suppert, and means operative through oscillatimm at the suppertfor controlling the vacuum inthe vacuum piele up device;

J. HAESSi-ER 

